3 John 1:9

I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first amongst them, doesn’t accept what we say.

BSB

I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction.

ASV

I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

Original Greek

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Ἔγραψά Egrapsa I have written G1125 τι ti something G5100 τῇ tēa to the G3588 ἐκκλησίᾳ ekklēsia church G1577 ἀλλ all᾽ but G235 ὁ ho the [one] G3588 φιλοπρωτεύων philoprōteuōn loving to be first G5383 αὐτῶν autōn among them G846 Διοτρέφης Diotrephēs Diotrephes G1361 οὐκ ouk not G3756 ἐπιδέχεται epidechetai welcomes G1926 ἡμᾶς hēmas us G3165

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 9–12

Both the heart and mouth must be watched. The temper and spirit of Diotrephes was full of pride and ambition. It is bad not to do good ourselves; but it is worse to hinder those who would do good. Those cautions and counsels are most likely to be accepted, which are seasoned with love. Follow that which is good, for he that doeth good, as delighting therein, is born of God. Evil-workers vainly pretend or boast acquaintance with God. Let us not follow that which is proud, selfish, and of bad design, though the example may be given by persons of rank and power; but let us be followers of God, and walk in love, after the example of our Lord.

Read Matthew Henry on 3 John 1 →

Cross-references

12

People & places

Diotrephes

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.